More making own pet food in wake of contamination

Some worried pet owners are grinding up meat in their kitchens and making their own dog and cat food because of the contamination scare blamed for numerous animal deaths.

Local veterinarians, employees at the Humane Society and a Jackson pet food maker all say they've gotten a lot of calls from pet owners since March 16, when nearly 100 store and major-brand pet foods were recalled by manufacturer Menu Foods Inc. Menu Foods was the first of at least six companies to recall pet food and treats. The most recent recall was Thursday, for dog biscuits made by an Alabama company and sold by Wal-Mart under the Ol'Roy brand.

Food and Drug Administration testing found that wheat gluten imported from China was contaminated with a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics. The FDA has confirmed 15 pet deaths, and anecdotal reports suggest hundreds of cats and dogs may have died.

But veterinarians warn that making balanced meals for pets can be complicated and should only be a temporary remedy until the scare passes.

Dr. Wanda Pipkin of Deer Ridge Animal Hospital in Jackson said five dogs were brought to the hospital last week for blood testing. The owners either fed their pet a recalled product and were concerned or found blood in the urine of the dog.

She said people should consult with a vet before coming up with a homemade diet. For example, a homemade diet for cats needs to include taurine, a supplement available at health stores, because it promotes a strong heart.

'It's amazing'

Robert Van Sickle, co-owner of the Polka Dog Bakery in Boston, said he has received many inquiries from customers on advice for making their own dog food. For his German short-haired pointer, Van Sickle blends carrots, spinach, salmon oil, apple cider vinegar and whatever meat is in his freezer.

"What this scare has shown me is that it's amazing how many people don't know what they are feeding their dogs," he said.

That's also the problem with feeding human food to pets -- many people already don't get all the vitamins, minerals and amino acids they need to lead a healthy life, said Victoria McDowell, who runs an organic pet food business out of her home in Jackson.

"Just eating table scraps isn't nutritious for pets," she said.

But even healthy foods can carry a certain risk.

"Just because you're going to feed animals people food doesn't mean it's going to be safe either," said Sue Sample, office and adoption manager at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. "We had spinach and peanut butter recalled last year, so where do you draw the line?"

The FDA and the American Veterinary Medical Association are urging pet owners to switch brands if they are worried.

'Kind of like canning'

The veterinarians group also warned that many common foods are not safe for pets, including salt, garlic, onions, grapes and chocolate.

Making pet food at home is "kind of like canning: You have to think about bacterial contamination. And how do you make sure it's nutritionally appropriate and balanced for the animal?" said FDA spokeswoman Julie Zawisza.

She added: "We wouldn't object. We'd say be knowledgeable about what you need."

Ann Martin, an author from London, Ontario, who has studied the pet food industry for 16 years, feeds her pets human food.

"Basically my dog and cat get whatever we're eating," she said, noting that doesn't include junk food. "For instance, we're having roast beef, mashed potatoes and veggies for dinner tonight, and that's what the animals will eat."

Martin is working on a second updated version of her 1997 book, "Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food." It's due out in the fall.

A movie crew from Indie Genius Productions in the United States is going to Canada at the end of the month to interview Martin about the pet food industry. She said the crew achieved a difficult task -- getting inside a rendering plant in disguise.

"It's like Fort Knox. You don't get in there," she said.

According to Martin, dogs and cats are put to sleep at shelters, and dead stock removal companies come to pick them up. Rendering plants then pay to use the meat.

"I really don't think we're going to see any drastic changes," she said in reference to the pet food recall. "This will eventually die down."

Staff writer Tim Krakowiak contributed to this report.